Jurgen Klopp's men ran riot at the Dragao for the second season running

Ultimately, the Reds demolished their opponents in yet another remarkable win at this level of European football.

On a thoroughly cold and miserable night, Liverpool’s fans secured a trip to what should be a far sunnier Barcelona in a few weeks and a not-so-friendly reunion with former playmaker Coutinho.
After watching this, Barca have every reason to be worried.

In what had real potential to be a tricky evening, particularly after the way Roma were turned over at the Estadio do Dragao in the previous round, Klopp’s team delivered a thoroughly professional performance to ensure there were no worries.

After surviving an early onslaught, Liverpool took the lead with the help of VAR and Mane.

Mo Salah grabbed the second midway inside the second half before Eder Militao pulled a goal back.

But Liverpool then humiliated the Portuguese side with further goals from Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk.

Having wasted 13 chances in the first 26 minutes, and then seeing Dutch referee Danny Makkelie end a two-minute VAR wait by pointing to the centre-circle, Porto knew they were about to be dumped out of the Champions League for the second time in succession by Liverpool.

While 14 months ago Liverpool stormed to a strange 5-0 win here, this time it was all much more low key.

Sadio Mane scored the first to settle Liverpool's nerves in the second leg

After holding firm early on, Mane scored his 22nd goal of the season in his team’s first attack.

While Salah has come to life over these last few weeks in spectacular fashion, it is Mane who has been Liverpool’s most consistent attacker this season.

So a fascinating semi-final with Messi ’n Co now awaits, although the focus will certainly still be on Sunday’s tricky Premier League trip to Cardiff.

But Klopp will be happy this was not an energy-sapping, backs-to-the-wall 90 minutes. Like they have done all season, apart from that blip at the start of the year, Liverpool used different tools to find a way to win.

That is why they have such great momentum. There is no doubt they are no longer Euro novices.

This was a really good test and another important experience for Klopp’s team, particularly the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, a young player who has found it tough on some of the previous big European evenings.

Last night, though, in front of England boss Gareth Southgate, he delivered an impressive display.

Any Liverpool fans expecting some nice, warm Portuguese weather would have got a shock as the temperatures were not only cooler than England yesterday but it was incredibly wet.

And a torrential downpour shortly before kick-off made conditions tricky. With Jordan Henderson carrying a knock, it was no major surprise he started on the bench, although Divock Origi getting the nod ahead of Firmino up front was a major turn-up for the books.

Do away goals count in the Champions League, and is the rule used if ties go to extra time?

It was the Belgian’s first Champions League start for the club — he had not managed more than 17 minutes in any of his four previous appearances in Europe.

He started out on the left, with Mane playing centrally, but at half-time was replaced by Firmino.

The focus at the start was always going to be on Liverpool’s back four and their ability to stand firm under an early barrage from the home side.

The first quarter followed a similar pattern. Porto had the ball, wasted a chance and Liverpool booted it back into their half — and repeat.

Then, however, Mane scored. Talk about a goal against the run of play. It was the visitors’ first attack of the game and completely and utterly stunned the home crowd — not to mention the Porto team.

Mane and Andy Robertson played a one-two, Salah scuffed a shot, Gini Wijnaldum returned the ball and Liverpool’s Egyptian maestro had another effort.

While he looked to be aiming for the corner it was going wide until Mane charged in at the far post.

The linesman’s flag was raised immediately and it looked a tight decision.

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